Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who received OAMs and Australia Day awards in the Coffs Harbour City Council area. The late Dr More received an OAM for service to medicine and to the local community in Woolgoolga. It was a very sad day when he passed. Dr Naidoo, from Sapphire Beach, received an OAM for service to paediatric medicine and the great work that he does.

Citizen of the Year went to John Lardner from Nana Glen for his contribution during the fires. John has a dedicated team in the Rural Fire Service, which he has been involved with for 38 years. The Young Citizen of the Year went to Taryn McCarthy, a Woolgoolga High School graduate who has been tireless in her efforts in representing the school and helping her peers. Thank you and congratulations to all those winners.

I'd like to congratulate and acknowledge members of my community who received Australia Day awards in the Ballina Shire Council area. Citizen of the Year was awarded to Barbara Swain, a very deserving recipient. Sadly, 25, Barry, the son of Barbara and her husband, Peter, lost his battle with depression. As part of their grieving and healing process they set up the Mental Health Support Group. They now provide housing, clothing, furniture and other necessities to vulnerable people in our community. Senior Citizen of the Year went to Geoff Harris. Geoff has been the president of the Lennox Head Alstonville Surf Life Saving Club for many years. He is present at all events and works tirelessly as a volunteer to keep the club running.

Community Event of the Year went to the 2020 Anzac Day live broadcast with Paradise FM. It was a very different Anzac Day last year, as we all remember, and Paradise FM's live broadcast encouraged residents to come out of their homes and commemorate in their streets with their neighbours. Paradise is a wonderful community radio station in our community. Congratulations to Jenny, Rod and the team. The Young Citizen of the Year Award went to Ryan Webb. Ryan donates to many charities and volunteers his time with the Five Loaves and the Mental Health Support Group. Thank you and congratulations to all the winners.

I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate members of my community who were recognised at the West of the Range Australia Day Awards in Bonalbo this year. The Citizen of the Year was given posthumously to Uncle Kevin Torrens. He was a wonderful man who, sadly, passed away. The Sportsperson of the Year went to Alex Gibbon. Alex has put in a great effort to re-establish the Richmond Range Rugby Club. This club had died and hadn't played for 10 years, but it was one of the great community stories of last year. They had over 40 players and were getting 300 to 400 people to a game. Congratulations to all of them. The Young Citizen of the Year went to Haylee White. Haylee attends Bonalbo High School. She is in year 11 and is a very talented soccer player. Congratulations. Hayley. And the event of the year went to CWA's Tabulam branch for a very well-organised Women's Community Forum day. Certificates of appreciation were given to the Richmond Range Rugby Club, Bill Mills and to Lawrence McCarthy for their contributions to the community.

I congratulate and thank all the deserving winners.